Apparatus for saving life from fire or shipwreck.



PATENTED APR, 21, 1903;

TY. E. NEWSAM. APPARATUS' FOR SAVINGLIPB FROM PIRE AND SHIPWRBGL' APPLIGATIO FILED NOV. 15. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

.1. mmmlw m A LN w. f [K -1.... n. l.. ....l. llllllll Jlllnnlelll ll lllllxlllll la'ul Il llll ..2442 ........f.m.......U.. u i

n PATBNTEUAPR, 21, 1903.

l l F. JE..1\IEWSA1VA. APPARATUS FOR SAVING 'LIFE PROM PIRE AND SHIPWRECK.

APPLICATION FILBDKNov. 15. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SEBI:

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS ERNEST NEwsAM, oF LEAMINeToN'sPA, ENGLAND APPARATUS FOR sAvlNG vLII-#Ey ERoMI-IRE QR SHIPWRECK.

SPECIFICATION forming part` of Letters lPatent No. 726,185, dated April 21, 1903.

' App1ica-u0i11eanovember 15,1902. Striano. 131,578. 11@ model.)

To all whom, t may concern.-

Beit known that I, FRANCIS ERNEST NEW- SAM, a subject of His Majesty King Edward VII of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resi` deut of Leamington Spa, in the countyof Warwick, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Saving Life from Fire and Shipwreck, also applicable for building and mining opera` tions and the like, (for which I have applied for a patent in Great Britain,No. 19,538, bearing date September 6, 1902,) of which the following is a specification.

The objects of myinvention are to provide apparatus for'saving -life from fire and ship-z Wreck essentially; to provide new or irnproved apparatus that shall be portable, si'm-v plein construction., and readily adjustable for use, readily understood for operation, andthatcan be conveniently stored away when out of use, always at hand in case of .emergency, and ot' such construction that a person or number of persons can quickly escape', from danger; to provide apparatus for use in building operations and the like or for the use ot' mining-engineers, Well-sinkers, and fory other purposes.

Referring to the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a front View of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of same. view of the apparatus. The figures on Sheet 2 are drawn to a larger scale,excepting Fig. 14D. Fig. 4 is an end view. Fig. 5 is a cross-section through center of apparatus. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectionthrough one of the brakes in connection with the apparatus. Figs. 7, 8, 9, and l0 `are detail Views'of the brake action. Fig. 1l is one end of the rope, showing the sister-hook attachments. Fig. 'N12 is aview of one end of the apparatus, showing the connecting or supporting strap, swivel, and D- loop. Fig. -13 is an end View. Fig. 14 is a general viewshowing the whole apparatus and its connectionsdrawn to a smaller scale.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts on each figure.

My invention refers mainly to new or improved apparatus for saving life from fire or shipwreck or for other purposes,l as herein mentioned, and is designed to provide an apparatus which consists of a sliding traveler,

Fig. 3 is a back -by'a pin E.

com prises two side parallel supporting-pieces A, which consist otfmetal or wood and are .connected together bymetal `ortwooden bodypieces or blocks B. In the' space centrally between the sides A and intermediate longi- -tudinally between thebo'dy-pieces B are one,

two, or Inore roundmetal studsor lixed shea-ves C or cross-pieces, which are prefer- 1 ably-transverse iixtures in fthe sides A or -may be made to act as rollers and which are grooved, C', to form side1anges,asshown.

1A single'length of ropeD, ofthe usual fabric, dressedwith reproof chemicals or other suitable preparation, or of wire, runsflongitudinally through the entire apparatus and upon which it works and-.through an arrangement of brake mechanism at eachend ofthe traveling apparatus, passing through inclined or. partly-inclined grooves or channels B', (shown in dotted lines,)rforu1ed in the body part B of same, and under and over the fixed sheaves or studs C or rollers, as the case may be, the grooves et which, as also the grooves in the body B, are of a size relative to the Vsize vof the rope D. Each end of the traveling apparatus or traveler is provided with a strong metal loop E, pivotally connected To the loop E is attached a strap, webbing, or cord F, provided at the one end witha swivel-hook G, which serves as the supporting-belt for attachment ofthe apparatus to the body of the person. Each end of the rope D lhas a metal-lined loop D', to which are connected hooks H, known-as sister hooks. The brake mechanism at each end consists ofan arm J, pivotedat'J to the apparatus, said arm being'of concave form 'upon its under face, so as to follow the outline of and tit closely to therope.' A leather -pad is preferably introduced on the concave face of the arm J, (shown at J2,) so as to bear upon the rope, and a central part or eyepiece K fits into a countersinking J3 in the top side of the arm J. A screw-threaded milled head or knob L operates the screw K' of the part K, working in a slot'B2 in the sides A.

By screwing down the head L a bearing is obtained upon its seating L upon the front of the apparatus. The action upon the screw K causes the center part K to draw up the arm J against the rope D on its one side, thus gripping it and forcing it on the opposite side tightly against the groove B in the body B. This groove at the point opposite to the brake is also padded with leather J2, preferably, or other material.

Itis apparent that the operation of the head L contracts or expands the arm J upon the rope D.

The operation of the traveling apparatus or traveler upon the rope is as follows: Secure the one end of the rope D, by means of the hooks I-I, to a ring at or near the window, for instance. The traveling apparatus will be now at the top of the rope. The loose end with its hooks is cast to the ground. The strap F is secured around the body of the person about to descend. The brake is adjusted according to the weight to be conveyed down the rope and so as to grip the rope more orless tightly. Thus the traveling apparatus ortraveler, with the person strapped to same, is caused by the weight of the body to gradually slide down the rope, the manipulation of the head or knob L of the brake governing the grip upon the rope. So powerful a grip can be brought to bear that a person descending can regulate the traverse of the apparatus or bring it to a stop at will. The sheaves or studs C, under and overwhich the rope passes, also act as a check to a too rapid descent by reason of the kinks formed in the rope. Upon the person reaching ground the apparatus is hauled up and reversed, the rope made fast,

and the slack rope thrown down again, when another can descend, and so on.

It will be apparent that no physical exertion is needed to manipulate the apparatus, as its action is practically automatic.

The advantages of this invention will be manifest to those skilled in the art, especially for fire and shipwreck; also, for building,

. mining, and the like operations and wherever slings and pulleys are now employed.

Changes may be made in the form and arrangement of thetraveling apparatusand its connections without departing from the invention.

Having now described my invention, what,

I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

In combination a traveler formed of two parallel side pieces having intermediate bottom parts B provided with inclined grooves B and with intermediate friction-blocks, sheaves or rollers C provided with grooves C and brakes beyond the said inclined grooves B consisting of arms J pivotally supported and arranged to bear on the rope D passing through said traveler, screws K having eyepieces K engaging the arms or clamps J and knobs L engaging the said screws K for operating the same, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.'

FRANCIS ERNEST NE WSAM.

Witnesses:

EDWD. BURTON PAYNE, ALBERT Nnwnv. 

